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Impotence

1. Overview and Causes
2. Symptoms
3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation
4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM
5. Healing by Other Therapies
  a. Qigong and other
  b. Medicated diet
  c. Life style
6. Psychological Adaptation


1. Overview and Causes

Impotence is the inability of a man to have sexual intercourse through lack of penile erection, or less commonly, the inability to ejaculate (emit semen from the penis) having gained an erection. The cause may be "organic" and due to a condition or disease (Diabetes, Hormonal disorder) or more commonly "psychogenic", i.e. due to psychological or emotional problems such as anxiety, fear, or guilt.

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2. Symptoms

(a) Heart-spleen deficiency: Failure of the penis to have an erection, or only able to maintain a weak erection, accompanied with palpitations (noticable or irregular heartbeat), shortness of breath, listlessness, sallow complexion, loss of appetite, pale tongue, thin and weak pulse.
(b) Kidney-yang deficiency: Failure of the penis to have an erection, or only able to maintain a weak erection, accompanied with dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), soreness and weakness of the loins and knees, cold extremities (hands and feet), pale tongue with white coating, deep, slow and weak pulse.

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3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation

TCM treatment is effective for most of the patients with such a disease, It is reported that the rate of healing is 20%-60%. The healing effect depends on the individual, the length of illness and the therapies themselves.

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4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM

This ailment, according to TCM, has different syndromes. The treatment for these syndromes using herbal medicine and acupuncture is shown below.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Prescription/Formula for heart-spleen deficiency:
Ginseng 5g, Licorice 8g, Atractylodes 10g, Tangkuei 8g, Citrus peel 8g, Astragalus 15g, Cimicifuga 6g, Bupleurum 6g.

Prescription/Formula for kidney-yang deficiency: Rehmannia(cooked)20g, Dioscorea10g, Cornus 8g, Lycium fruit 8g, Eucommia10g, Cuscuta 8g,, Aconite(prepared) 10g, Cinnamon bark 6g, Tangkuei 8g. Dissolve them in hot water and drink daily for 20-60 days.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
 (a) Body Acupuncture
Prescription/Formula: Guanyuan (Ren 4), Sanyinjiao (Sp 6) and Ligou (Liv 5). Supplementary points: For heart-spleen deficiency, Shen-men (H 7) is added; for kidney-yang deficiency, Mingmen (Du 4). Method: Use the filiform needles to puncture the points with the reinforcing method. Moxibustion may be added.

(b) Ear Acupuncture
Prescription/Formula: Pt. seminal Palace, Pt. External Genitalia, Pt. Testis, and Pt. Endocrine. Method: 2-4 points are selected for each treatment. Retain the needles for 30 minutes. Give the treatment once each day. 6-10 treatments make up one course. The auricular-seed-pressing therapy may also be applicable.

  

To treat by Electrotheraphy
 Prescription/Formula:
Group I : Ciliao (B32) and Rangu (K 2).
Group II : Guanyuan (Ren 4) and Sanyinjiao (Sp 6).

Method: The two groups may be used alternatively. Low-freguency pulse current is adopted. Electrify the points for 3-5 minutes each treatment, 1-2 treatments a day. 6-10 treatments make up a course.

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
1. Chives(Jiucai) 50g, cut and stir-fry with salt, take it twice a week.
2. Ox Penis(Niubian) 50-100g, add flavourings and simmer it until it is well done. Take it frequently, 1-3 times a week.
3. Sparrow(Maque), 1-2 pieces a time, roast it and eat.
4. Helpful food: Shrimp, lamb, beef, venison, carp, mussel.
(c) Life style
1. Relax and don't be sad or worry too much.
2. Reduce the frequency of sex.
3. Do more exercise or practise Qi Gong.
4. Consulting with the doctors when you have sexual dysfunction..
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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.